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It seems that Ford might be planning a surprise unveiling for the all-new Bullitt Mustang during this year’s Detroit Auto Show.A source told Autonews that the Bullitt will be unveiled at NAIAS as a 2018 model, just in time for the 50th anniversary of the famous Steve McQueen movie which came out in 1968, featuring an iconic car chase scene.

Despite this rumor, Ford spokesman Mike Levine stated that “We don’t have any Mustang news to share today but we love the interest in America’s favorite muscle car.”

The Bullitt Mustang was also not among the cars previewed by Ford for the media earlier this month, but we’ve know for quite some time that an unveiling would happen sooner rather than later, with leaks springing up as early as February 2017.

Last month, thanks to a Mustang6g forum member, we caught a glimpse of what appeared to be the Dark Highland Green 2018 Bullitt, filming a commercial in Chicago. Meanwhile, earlier in the year, the same car appeared on a board found in a behind-the-scenes video featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Powered by a 5.0-liter Coyote V8, the 2018 Bullitt Mustang will come with an upgraded suspension, five-spoke black and chrome alloys, black tailpipes, red Brembo brakes and Recaro seats. There will also be a faux gas cap with a crosshair on the rear fascia, instead of the ‘GT’ badge.

PHOTO GALLERY

A few days after a single image of the 2018 Ford Mustang Bullitt surfaced online, a number of other pictures have been snapped of the car during a commercial shoot in Chicago from members of the Mustang6G forum.Looking identical to the car that first appeared in sketches at the start of the year, the Mustang Bullitt pictured features a selection of bespoke features from the Mustang GT on which it is based.

Most significantly, the pony car will be sold in Dark Highland Green and includes five-spoke black and chrome wheels. Additionally, the car comes equipped with black tailpipes, red Brembo brakes and a set of Recaro seats. A faux gas cap with a crosshair design can also be seen on the rear fascia where the ‘GT’ badge is traditionally located.

Sources suggest that the Mustang Bullitt will be powered by a largely-unchanged 5.0-liter Coyote V8 from the GT. While the Bullitt may not be any quicker in a straight line, it should be more capable through corners thanks to a plethora of new and improved suspension components.

A global premiere at January’s Detroit Auto Show is to be expected.

PHOTO GALLERY

The redesigned Ford Explorer has been spied undergoing testing by CarScoops reader Brett Borgard.Snapped at a gas station, the redesigned crossover is heavily camouflaged but appears to have an evolutionary design which will make it instantly recognizable. Styling details are hard to make out but the model has a new front fascia with a larger grille and a prominent lower air intake. Moving further back, we can see a familiar greenhouse and a relatively flat roof.

Little is known about the redesigned model but previous reports have suggested the Explorer could grow in size. Rumors have also indicated the crossover could come equipped with aluminum components – including the hood, doors, and tailgate – to help reduce weight and improve fuel-efficiency.

Speaking of the latter, the redesigned Explorer is expected to be offered with an assortment of different powertrains including a turbocharged four-cylinder and a familiar EcoBoost V6. It’s too early to talk performance figures but speculation has suggested the company could also offer a hybrid- or plug-in hybrid variant.

Ford has been tight-lipped about the model but reports have hinted the Explorer could be introduced as early as next year. There has also been speculation that the model will spawn an all-new Lincoln Aviator to replace the slow-selling MKT.

Thanks to Brett Borgard for the photos!

Photo Gallery

Ford is working on putting the final touches to the fourth-generation Focus, which is expected to debut early next year. Spied in motion while lapping the Nurburgring, this prototype won’t give any hints as what’s found beneath the new sheet metal, but our spy photographers, which caught the exact same car on camera last month, say that it’s an ST.

Some design differences over previous scooped models can be seen in the front end, which appears to be sportier, in addition to the roof-mounted spoiler, double tailpipes, and chunky five double-spoke alloy wheels.

Some sources have suggested that the new generation Ford Focus ST will drop the current 2.0-liter gasoline unit in favor of a smaller 1.5-liter turbo’d engine that could develop up to 275hp.

At this point, it remains uncertain whether the 2.0-liter diesel powertrain, which proved its popularity in Europe, will be downsized too, or if it will be upgraded with new software and hardware meant to drop its CO2 emissions.

Apart from the ST grade, the new-gen Ford Focus will be offered with a variety of three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and it appears that electrification is going to be part of the package, with PHEV and zero-emission models coming as well.

VIDEO

Ford is working on putting the final touches to the fourth-generation Focus, which is expected to debut early next year. Spied in motion while lapping the Nurburgring, this prototype won’t give any hints as what’s found beneath the new sheet metal, but our spy photographers, which caught the exact same car on camera last month, say that it’s an ST.

Some design differences over previous scooped models can be seen in the front end, which appears to be sportier, in addition to the roof-mounted spoiler, double tailpipes, and chunky five double-spoke alloy wheels.

Some sources have suggested that the new generation Ford Focus ST will drop the current 2.0-liter gasoline unit in favor of a smaller 1.5-liter turbo’d engine that could develop up to 275hp.

At this point, it remains uncertain whether the 2.0-liter diesel powertrain, which proved its popularity in Europe, will be downsized too, or if it will be upgraded with new software and hardware meant to drop its CO2 emissions.

Apart from the ST grade, the new-gen Ford Focus will be offered with a variety of three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and it appears that electrification is going to be part of the package, with PHEV and zero-emission models coming as well.

Ford unveiled the 2018 Mustang earlier this year, but we're starting to learn more about the model as a handful of pre-production prototypes were caught in Austin, Texas during a photo shoot.Read more »

Ford’s original Focus was a breath of fresh air when launched upon the motoring world back in 1998. As a replacement for the Escort, its radical styling and fantastic handling was a big middle finger to the small car main-players of the late 1990’s. Read more »

There's been a rumor going around these days that Ford's next generation 2019 Explorer could make its world debut at the NY Auto Show debut, despite previous reports placing its introduction next year.Read more »